Piping up for Annie!

Annie Schofield is pictured with Town Crier, Marcus Emms, and Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Ginny Alexander

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The hills resounded to a different kind of music when Annie Schofield celebrated her 100th birthday in Uppermill yesterday (Thursday).

The village, which normally hosts brass bands, echoed to a resounding rendition of 'Happy Birthday' played in Annie's honour by Oldham’s famous Scottish Pipe Band.

And Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Ginny Alexander, made a special visit accompanied by redoubtable Town Crier, Marcus Emms, to celebrate and share Annie’s big day.

Said the bearded town crier: “A big cheer for Annie!

"It was an honour and a privilege to spend the afternoon with the Saddleworth legend.

“I am less than half her age, and Annie was incredibly sprightly, bounding up a dodgy flight of steps that I struggled with.

"My excuse was, I was wearing clogs.”

Chirpy Annie, a former schoolteacher who recently made a remarkable recovery from a long term illness, says her age is down to the clean Saddleworth air and her resolute family - three daughters, six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Ironically, it was 100 years ago as the globe was gripped by the Spanish flu pandemic which claimed 50 million lives when Annie was born the only child to her mother and father at home in Diggle.

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